Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to guiding corporations and individuals obtain and monetize copyrightable works, and provide defense services for copyright infringement lawsuits. As an author, small business owner, and serial entrepreneur, lawyer Brian feels the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with creatives across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal support in Interlaken for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner. This can include reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying the work without permission. It protects the rights of creators and authors, and ensures that their work can be used and distributed in the way that they choose. 
Copyright infringement can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, or other media without permission, using someone else's work as your own, or reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work without permission. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the infringement. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
The copyright of others should be respected and permission sought before using their work. Exceptions to copyright law allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. It is important, however, to verify that your use falls within the scope of fair use exceptions before relying upon them. 

What Are Your First Three Steps When Sued for Copyright Infringement?

It is important to take steps to protect your interests if you are sued for copyright infringement. Take these three steps as a starting point: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been served on you. Carefully review the complaint that has been filed against you to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. In this way, you can identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. You can expose yourself to additional liability by continuing the infringement. As a result, if you continue to infringe after receiving notice that you are infringing, you will appear to be a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Available to Help Interlaken Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is simple – contact Brian Russ Law, Inc. today. We’re fielding calls from potential new copyright clients every day. Having an attorney on your team can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you invaluable peace of mind.